Two North American refineries resume normal operations

HOUSTON (ICIS)--Two refineries that supply the US east coast returned to normal operations following a fire and a turnaround, a distillates trader said on Wednesday.

US-based ConocoPhillips’s 230,000 bbl/day Bayway refinery in Linden, New Jersey, returned to normal operating rates on Tuesday, said the trader. The refinery had been running on reduced rates since a fire at the crude unit’s furnace on 1 June.

The trader said the return of the refinery should make ultra-low sulphur diesel more available in the spot market.

Imperial Oil completed a turnaround that began on 6 May at its 187,000 bbl/day Strathcona refinery in Alberta, Canada, the same market source said. The units undergoing maintenance were not disclosed.

US-based ExxonMobil owns 69.6% of Imperial Oil. The refinery supplies the US east coast.